Rotatable tubing hanger



June 3, 1952 J. F. BAKER 9 ROTATABLE TUBING HANGER Filed Oct. 27; 1947IN V EN TOR.

yang p a. 60W

HZ'TOENEV Patented June 3, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROTATABLETUBING HANGER Jack F. Baker, Long Beach, Calif.

Application October 2'7, 1947, Serial No. 782,412

15 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a device for hanging a string of tubing in awell, especially an oil well. More particularly, the invention relatesto such a hanger by the aid of which the tubing may be rotated about itsaxis.

Devices are known in the prior art, which support a string of welltubing for rotary movement about its axis. Such movement may serve tocontrol a valve inthe tubing strings, or to distribute wear or damage ofthe tubing, as caused, for example. by sucker rods in a pumping well, orby electrolysis, about the tubing wall, materially increasing the lifeof the tubing.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved device of thischaracter.

It is another object of this invention to provide such a device having alow overall height, whereby the installation of the device issimplifled.

It is another object of this inventionto provide such a device ofsimple, rugged construction and having few parts.

It is another object of this invention to'provide such a device havingan improved arrangement sealing against the escape of well fluid.

It is another object of this invention to provide such a device having asimple mode of operation.

.This invention possesses many other advantages and has other objectswhich may be made more easily apparent from a consideration of oneembodiment of the invention. For this purpose there is shown a form inthe drawings accompanying and fonning part of the present specification.This form will now be described in detail, illustrating the generalprinciples of the invention; but it is to be understood that thisdetailed description is not tobe taken in a limiting sense, since thescope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Figure l is an elevation, partly in section, showing the tubing hangerof the invention, installed;

Rigure 2 is a. cross section, on a reduced scale, taken substantially asindicated by line 22 of Figure 1; and v Figure 3 is an enlarged,fragmentary detail section, taken substantially as indicated by linefor. a conventional tubing head 2. Thus, thecap [includes a base membercomprising a circularplate 5 adapted to be secured to the tubing headflange 2-11 by a plurality of bolts 8, and rendered fluid tight thereinby suitable packing 1.

The base member 5 has a cylindrical well 8, formed therein as by a wall9, secured to the base, as by welding I0. A circular opening I I,coaxial with the well 8, extends .through the member 5, the opening Hbeing of less diameter than the wall 9 so that an annular shoulder I2 isdefined about the opening II by the Wall 9.

A hanger member M of tubular form is provided, having a through openingl5 into the lower end of which the upper end of the tubing string T isthreadedly secured. The hanger M has an intermediate circular flange l6.with cylindrical extensions or hubs i1 and I8 of reduced diameter,respectively above and below the flange [6, thus providing upwardly anddownwardly facing surfaces l9 and 20 respectively on opposite sides ofthe flange l6.

The downwardly facing surface 20 of the flange l6 cooperates with theshoulder I 2 to rotatably support the hanger l4 and the tubing string Tsecured thereto. Since the weight of such tubing is usually of the orderof several tons, it is desirable to interpose an antifriction bearing 23between the surfaces l2 and 20. This bearing 23 is preferably a combinedradial and thrust bearing and is shown as comprising a lower race 24 ofconventional form. seated within the wall 9 on the shoulder I2. wardlyfacing surface 28 is appropriately formed and hardened to provide theother race, a plurality of balls 25 being provided between the races.

The upper end of the well 8 is provided with a closure 26 secured as byhaving an annular extension 21 which threadedly engages the wall 9, andadditionally, if desired, by welding 28,. The lower face 29 of thisextension 2! cooperates with the upper surface [9 of the flange I6 toappro priately restrict upward movement of the hanger The downwardlydirected hub l 8 of the hanger l4 extends through the opening I l of thebase 5; similarly the upwardly directed hub I1 telescopes within theannular extension 21 of the closure 28.

Suitable sealing means, such as rings 30 having acircular cross sectionand formed for example of synthetic rubber, are provided between the hubl8 and the opening ll, being accommodated for example in grooves 3| inthe hub I81 Similar rings 32 are provided to seal between the hub l1 andthe extension 21. In this way, escape of well fluid from the tubing T orthe well casing at the tubing head is prevented, as is likewise themingling of said fluids.

The down- A ring 33, of similar type, provided in the well 8 and'sealingbetween the outer portion of the surface 20 and the bearing race 24,serves to protect the bearing 23 against loss of lubricant and entry offoreign matter such as grit or water.

The closure 26 has a tubular upward extension or boss 34, providing anoutlet communicating with the passage through the hanger I4. Theextension 34 is interiorly and exteriorly threaded for receiving anappropriate conduit or discharge member 35, as shown by Way of example,as engaging the interior threads. A portion of the rod string foroperating the well pump is shown at 36.

From the foregoing, it will be clear that the hanger I4 is accuratelyguided for rotation by the upper and lower hubs I1 and I8 and is sup-1ported by the anti-friction bearing 23. Thus, the hanger I4, togetherwith the tubing susa pended therefrom, can be rotated readily byappropriate operationof the hanger I4. Thestationary closure 26 enablesconnection of the tub-' ing to a dischargeconduit or the like in asimple manner and serves additionally toirestrain the hanger I4 againstupward movement. Further, the overall height of the device is low sothat a conventional Christmas tree or other control apparatus can beconnected to the device Without extensive modification.

For imparting rotary movement to the hanger 3 I4'and tubing T, thehanger flange I6 is provided with a plurality of equi-angularly spacedrecesses 31, for receiving a bar or the like insertible through a slot38 in the wallv9. The spacing of the'recesses 31, together with theangular ex-' tent of the slot 38, serve to limit the angle by face29-thereof. A ball 4|, accommodated therein is 'urged downwardly againstthe upper surface I9 of the flange I6 by a light compression spring 42.When the member I4 is moved in a clockwise.

direction, as indicated by the arrows in Figures land 3, the ball M isurged upwardly to the left in the hole 40, freeing the member I 4. Ifthe member I4 is moved slightly in the opposite direction, the ball 4Iwedges between the surface I9 and the upper surface of the hole 40preventing any substantial movement of the member I4.

Obviously, the tubing head cap I together with the tubing T may belifted from the head 2 after removal of the bolts 6, by appropriatemeans engaging the member 35, or other suitable means secured, by eitherthe internal or external threads on the boss 34, to the closure member26. If desired, the cap I and the tubing may be lifted by an appropriatemember (not shown) secured in theupper end of the bore I5 of the hangerI4, as by the threads provided for this purpose. In this way theconnections between the structural parts of the cap I are not subjectedto the'weight of the tubing.

I claim:

1; In a tubing hanger: means forming a base with a through opening;means forming a circular well on said base, defining thereon a shoulderabout said opening; a tubular hanger memher for supporting the tubinghaving an intermediate flange within said well, cooperating with saidshoulder to rotatably support said member; closure means for the upperend of said well, co-

operating with said flange to restrict upward movement of said member,said closure means having an opening communicating with said tubingthrough said member and adapted for connection with a conduit; and meanssealing about said hanger member to prevent escape of well fluid, saidflange having thereon means engageable to rotate said hanger member,said circular well means having a passage through a wall thereof foraccess by driving means to engage said engageable means.

2. A structure as in claim 1 including rotary bearing means between saidshoulder and said flange. 3'. In'a tubing hanger: means forming a basewith a through opening; means forming a circ'ular well on said base,defining thereon a shoulder'about said opening; a tubular hanger memberfor supporting the tubing having an intermediate flange Within saidwell, cooperating with said'shollder .to rotatably support said member;closure means for the upper end of said well, cooperating with saidflange torestrict. upward movement of said member, said closure meanshaving an opening communicating with said tubing through said member,adapted for connection with a conduit means sealing about said member toprevent escape of well fluid; means carried by said flange andengageable through an opening in said well means for rotativelyadvancing said hanger member; and means engaging said flange forpreventing reverse movement of said hanger member.

4. In a tubing hanger: means forming a base with a through opening;means forming a circular well on said base, defining thereon a shoulderabout said opening; a tubular hanger member for supporting the tubinghaving an intermediate flange within said well, cooperating with saidshoulder to rotatably support said member; closure means for the upperend of said well, cooperating with said flange to restrict upwardmovement of said member, said closure means having an openingcommunicating 'with said tubing through said member, adapted forconnection with a conduit; means sealing about said member to preventescape of well fluid; and means for rotatively advancing said hanger,comprising a plurality of angularly' spaced recesses in said flange,there being an opening of limited angular extent through said wellforming meansthrough which at least some of said recesses areaccessible.

5. In a tubing hanger: means forming a base having a circular throughopening; means'forming a circular well on said base, defining thereon anannular shoulder about said opening; a member rotatably supported onsaid shoulder, having a through openin adapted to have the upper end ofthe tubing secured therein, said member having an upwardly facingannular surface; means forming a closure for the'upper end of said well,and cooperating'with said surfacev to restrict upward movement of saidmember, said closure means having an opening communicating with theopening in said member, adapted for connection with a conduit; andengageable means,

member.

6. In a tubing hanger; means forming a base having a circular throughopening; means forming'a circular well on said basejdeflning thereon anannular shoulder about said opening; a memmeans forming aclosure for theupper end of said well, and cooperating with said surface. to restrictupward movement of :said member, said closure means having an openingcommunicating with the opening in said member, adapted for connectionwith a conduit means sealing' "between said member and said base; meanssealing between said member and said closure means; and engageable meansprovided on-the peripheral Wall of saidrotatable member 'for'rotation ofthe latter, said circular well havingapassag e=opposite said engageablemeans 'for' entrance of j drivingmeans to actuate the said engageablemeans and'said rotatable member.

7. In a tubing hanger: means forming a base having a circular throughopening; means forming a circular well on said base, defining thereon anannular shoulder about said opening; a member rotatably supported onsaid shoulder, having a through opening adapted to have the upper end ofthe tubing secured therein, said member hav-' ing a downwardly directedhub accommodated in said circular opening and an upwardly facing annularsurface; means forming a closure for the upper end of said well, andcooperating with said surface to restrict upward movement of saidmember, said closure means having an opening communicating with theopening in said member, and adapted for connection with a conduit; meanssealing about said hub in the said circular opening; means sealingbetween said member and said closure forming means; and engageable meansprovided on the peripheral wall of said rotatable member for rotation ofthe latter, said circular well having a passage opposite said engageablemeans for entrance of driving means to actuate the said engageable meansand said rotatable member.

8. In a tubing hanger: means forming a base having a circular throughopening; means forming a circular well on said base, defining thereon anannular shoulder about said opening; a member rotatably supported onsaid shoulder, having a through opening adapted to have the upper end ofthe tubing secured therein, said member having an upwardly directed hubof reduced diameter forming an upwardly facing annular surface; meansforming a closure for the upper end of said well having a circular borefor accommodating said hub, as well as an annular face directed downwardand cooperating with said annular surface to provide bearing mean torestrict upward movement of, said member, said closure means having anopening communicating with the opening in said member, and said closuremeans being adapted for connection with a conduit; sealing meansdisposed between the outer wall of said hub and the inner wall of saidbore; and means sealing between said member and the base.

9. A structure as in claim 8 includin engageable means provided on theperipheral wall of said rotatable member for rotation of the latter,said circular well having a passage adjacent said engageable means forengagement of driving means. with said engageable means to move saidrotatable member.

10. In a tubing hanger: means forming a base; having a circular throughopening, means forming a circular well on said base defining thereon anannular shoulder about said opening; a tubular member adapted forconnection with the 6 upper end of the tubing, having an intermediatecircular portion accommodated within the well and cooperating l withsaid shoulder to rotatably support saidmember', said member havingoppositely: extending upper andlower hubs'of reduced diameter formingrespectively upwardly and downwardly facingannular surfaces ontheinterme'diate *portion, the-downwardly directed hub extending throughsaid opening; said shoulder and downwardly facing annular surfaceproviding cooperating bearing means to" position said hanger member aclosure member secured tothe up'perend ofsaid well, and having adownwardly facing bearing-surface cooperating with the upwardly facingsurface to restrict upward movemerit of said member, said closure memberhaving a vertical bore-extendingupwardly from said downwardly facingbearing surface and receiving the upwardly directed hub, said closuremember havin an opening communicating with said tubular member; andmeans sealing between the outer wall of the lower hub of said tubularmember and the inner wall of the circular opening in the base andbetween the outer wall of the upper hub of said tubular member and theinner wall of the bore in said closure member.

1 1. A structure as in claim 10 including engageable means providedaround the outer wall of said tubular member for rotation of the latter,said circular well having a passage adjacent said engageable means forreception of actuating means to rotate said tubular member.

12. In a tubing hanger: means forming a base having a circular throughopening; means forming a circular well on said base defining thereon anannular horizontal shoulder about said opening; a tubular member adaptedfor connection with the upper end of the tubing having an intermediatecircular portion with oppositely extending hubs thereon, forming on saidintermediate portion, upwardly facing horizontal and downwardly facingannular surfaces, the downwardly facing surface cooperating with saidannular shoulder to rotatably support said member; closure forming meansfor said well providing an annular horizontal shoulder cooperating withthe upwardly facing horizontal surface to restrict upward movement ofsaid member, as well as a bore for receiving the upwardly directed hub,said downwardly directed hub extending through said opening, saidclosure forming means having an opening communicating with said tubingthrough said member; and sealing means between the outer walls of eachof said hubs and the adjacent inner Walls of said bore and circularopening.

13. A structure as in claim 12 including engageable means providedaround the outer wall of said tubular member for rotation of the latter,said circular well having a. passage adjacent said engageable means forreception of actuating means to rotate said tubular member.

14. In a hanger device for tubing: a horizontal base having a centralopening an upstanding well member secured to said base around saidopening and leaving a shoulder between said opening and said wellmember; a tubular hanger member having a body rotatably borne on saidshoulder and disposed within said well member, a lower hub forattachment and suspension of said tubing, said lower hub dependingwithin said central opening, and an upper hub extending from said Ibody; a closure secured to the upper portion of said well member andhaving a bore within which said upper hub is disposed, said closure alsohaving a downwardly directed face overlying a porj tion of said body toretain said hanger member on said shoulder, and said closurehavingattachmer t means extending above said}, upper hub for attachment ofupper tubing, the interior of said body being in direct communicationwith said upper tubing and said suspended tubing; packing means disposedbetween the innersurface of said bore and the outer surface of saidupper hub; and packing means between the innr wall of said centralopening and the outer surface of said lower hub, said packing means'sealingofl ,the bearing between said body memberand shoulder from theinterior of said hanger member.

15. A hanger device as in claimgm including JACK F. BAKER.

V REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 929,734 Walder Aug. 3, 19091,259,854 Greve Mar. 19, 1918 1,679,962 Gram Aug. 7, 1928 2,051,261MacClatchie Aug. 18, 1936 2,088,418 King July 27, 1937 2,165,410 Penicket al July 11, 1939 2,230,589 Driscoll Feb. 4, 1941 2,294,061 WilliamsonAug. 25, 1942 2,333,847

Deely Nov. 9, 1943

